Hello folks,
I can see that complaints from A4/A5 owner on this electro-mechanical steering started around Autumn 2012.
Q5 thread: http://www.motor-tal...e-t4344697.html
A5: http://www.motor-tal...g-t4269900.html
A4: Audi recognized the problem: http://www.motor-tal...16#post35793417
http://www.motor-tal...17#post35796388
http://www.audizine....sues-2013/page2
http://www.audizine....oose-on-highway
http://forums.audiwo...d.php?t=2838265
http://forums.audiwo...d.php?t=2832025
I was NOT happy with my steering since more or less first day of my Q5:
On the highway the steering is light around the center position and the car tends to go off the straight line constantly. As a result, I need to adjust/steer slightly left and right constantly to keep the car going straight. I am getting "a coffee cup" lamp like twice in 400 km... With some side wind and at speeds above 140 km/h it actually gets really scary....
When in town, the steering is very inconsistent, I get gaps and pulls on the steering wheel, as if some 3[sup]rd[/sup] forces on the wheel (not originating from myself or the road) that are either slightly seizing it or suddenly releasing it.
The steering gets sometime more, sometime less firm - it is hard to predict whether it is temperature or something else dependent.
I can see from various forums that a lot of people are experiencing the same on various models: A4/A5/A6/A7/Q5. Q5 is probably the youngest on he market and there are no so many threads.
Update of 10-Jan-2013
After more than two months of follow up, Audi has finally informed me that:
- the issue is recognized now, Audi Germany has been notified and is working on it;
- there is no solution now;
- local dealerships are instructed to take no attempts to rectify the issues in a meantime and should wait for further instructions, they should NOT raise any DISS;
- the issue is "comfort related" and not really causing any threat
- not all cars affected, but if affected one feels notchy steering in all ADS modes and even with Dynamic sterring
I am actually surprised that the issue is not recognized as a security/safety related! Would it take a fatal accident (or how many) before it is recognized?!
Update of April 2013
I kept insisting to the Audi dealer that driving the car is not safe. At one of the visits the tech could clearly feel the issue (notchiness on slow speeds), a report was issued then and sent to Germany. Shortly after I was suggested to replace the steering rack.
While I was waiting for the rack replacement I tried this VAG-com fix (http://www.audizine....ues-VAG-COM-Fix), which was a HUGE improvement. I was about to cancel the rack replacement - that it how great of an improvement it was. This fix seems to deactivate the system (Driver Steering Recommendation) which compensates with steering for impact of side wind or similar conditions. In my case, there was probably a faulty sensor in the steering, therefore the DSR system was unnecessarily trying to compensate for something that was not happening, therefore causing unnecessary trouble for the driver - constant compensatory steering movements, that had to be counter-reacted by the driver.
The above thread recognizes two steering issues and proposed solutions for each of them:
- hardware replacement is suggested for notchiness issue;
- vag-com fix is suggested when the car can not follow a straight line
Since I had both issues, I went for the rack replacement. After the rack was changed:
- the steering became more firm on all speeds;
- the car is finally following the straight on the highway;
- no more corrective actions or gaps (pulling left and right by itself) in town on 40-60 km/h speeds.
My car finally drives as an AUDI should drive! I am very please with it now! I am driving the same roads as before every day and realizing how much I've been missing in the last 6 months!!!!!!!!!
My Recommendation:
- raise a case with your dealership about the steering problem (the sooner the better);
- insist that it is NOT SAFE TO DRIVE - does not matter that they consider it a "comfort issue";
- follow up regularly, be persistent;
- insist on problem correction with your specific car , do not listen to the stories about "Audi is working on it";
- alternatively insist on Audi buying the car back if problem is not solved.
I can see that complaints from A4/A5 owner on this electro-mechanical steering started around Autumn 2012.
Q5 thread: http://www.motor-tal...e-t4344697.html
A5: http://www.motor-tal...g-t4269900.html
A4: Audi recognized the problem: http://www.motor-tal...16#post35793417
http://www.motor-tal...17#post35796388
http://www.audizine....sues-2013/page2
http://www.audizine....oose-on-highway
http://forums.audiwo...d.php?t=2838265
http://forums.audiwo...d.php?t=2832025
I was NOT happy with my steering since more or less first day of my Q5:
On the highway the steering is light around the center position and the car tends to go off the straight line constantly. As a result, I need to adjust/steer slightly left and right constantly to keep the car going straight. I am getting "a coffee cup" lamp like twice in 400 km... With some side wind and at speeds above 140 km/h it actually gets really scary....
When in town, the steering is very inconsistent, I get gaps and pulls on the steering wheel, as if some 3[sup]rd[/sup] forces on the wheel (not originating from myself or the road) that are either slightly seizing it or suddenly releasing it.
The steering gets sometime more, sometime less firm - it is hard to predict whether it is temperature or something else dependent.
I can see from various forums that a lot of people are experiencing the same on various models: A4/A5/A6/A7/Q5. Q5 is probably the youngest on he market and there are no so many threads.
Update of 10-Jan-2013
After more than two months of follow up, Audi has finally informed me that:
- the issue is recognized now, Audi Germany has been notified and is working on it;
- there is no solution now;
- local dealerships are instructed to take no attempts to rectify the issues in a meantime and should wait for further instructions, they should NOT raise any DISS;
- the issue is "comfort related" and not really causing any threat
- not all cars affected, but if affected one feels notchy steering in all ADS modes and even with Dynamic sterring
I am actually surprised that the issue is not recognized as a security/safety related! Would it take a fatal accident (or how many) before it is recognized?!
Update of April 2013
I kept insisting to the Audi dealer that driving the car is not safe. At one of the visits the tech could clearly feel the issue (notchiness on slow speeds), a report was issued then and sent to Germany. Shortly after I was suggested to replace the steering rack.
While I was waiting for the rack replacement I tried this VAG-com fix (http://www.audizine....ues-VAG-COM-Fix), which was a HUGE improvement. I was about to cancel the rack replacement - that it how great of an improvement it was. This fix seems to deactivate the system (Driver Steering Recommendation) which compensates with steering for impact of side wind or similar conditions. In my case, there was probably a faulty sensor in the steering, therefore the DSR system was unnecessarily trying to compensate for something that was not happening, therefore causing unnecessary trouble for the driver - constant compensatory steering movements, that had to be counter-reacted by the driver.
The above thread recognizes two steering issues and proposed solutions for each of them:
- hardware replacement is suggested for notchiness issue;
- vag-com fix is suggested when the car can not follow a straight line
Since I had both issues, I went for the rack replacement. After the rack was changed:
- the steering became more firm on all speeds;
- the car is finally following the straight on the highway;
- no more corrective actions or gaps (pulling left and right by itself) in town on 40-60 km/h speeds.
My car finally drives as an AUDI should drive! I am very please with it now! I am driving the same roads as before every day and realizing how much I've been missing in the last 6 months!!!!!!!!!
My Recommendation:
- raise a case with your dealership about the steering problem (the sooner the better);
- insist that it is NOT SAFE TO DRIVE - does not matter that they consider it a "comfort issue";
- follow up regularly, be persistent;
- insist on problem correction with your specific car , do not listen to the stories about "Audi is working on it";
- alternatively insist on Audi buying the car back if problem is not solved.
